Cigar lighter



sept. 15, 1953 Filed Oct. 19, 1949 54 55' l l; I

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A. A. JOHNSON CIGAR LIGHTER 2 Sheets-Sheet l nnentor Gttornegs Sept. 15, 1953 A. A. JOHNSON CIGAR LIGHTER 2 Sheets-Sheei 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1949 GttornegS `closed-circuit, heating condition.

Patented Sept. 15, 1953 r*clowns LIGHTER.

Arthur A. Johnson, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner to` Automatic Devices Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., avcorporation of Connecticut i Application October 19, 1949Serial No. 122,198

y19 Claims. (Cl. y21B-m32) This invention relates to electric cigar lighters of the automatic so-called pop-outtype generally used in motor cars etc.,`although equally adapted to non-vehicular use. l

Lighters of this type usually have an igniting unit which carries a heater coil and is movably supported on a base member, usually a socket, irom which it can be removed for use in lighting a cigar, cigarette or the like. It is normally stored in open-circuit, nonheating condition on the base member or socket. When wanted for Ause an electric current is supplied to theheater by pushing inwardly on` a handle or knob attached tothe igniting unit to move switch contacts into engagement. When the coil reaches the desired temperature a thermostat causes release of the parts which are then returned by spring pressure to normal stowage position, from vmotor car resting an elbow on a lighter installed in or neai` the arm of a back seat, or by a person getting in or outof a car, or by a folding front seat striking an igniter installed on the instrument panel. Also, returning some types of ignit-V. ing units to the supporting socket or base after usefrequently' requireslthe application of such force as results in pushing the parts into closedcircuitheating condition when it is not intended.

An object of `this invention is to provide an improved electric cigar `lighter constructed and arranged to prevent unintentional operationl of lthe moving parts of the lighter to bring them into A feature of the invention is the provision in Yan electric cigar lighter of an abutment member arranged to' block movement of theparts into operative heating position as theresult of pressure applied to the end face of the associated handle or knob. f

In `the species herein vdisclosed the igniting unit has an operating and manipulating knob formed in two parts provided with juxtaposed thrust-receiving portions. One knob part is relatively stationary, while the other is movable and 4is `formed with its thrust-receiving portion in substantially non-projecting relation to the thrust-receiving portion of the other relatively stationary part. The arrangement is such that circuit-closing movement of the parts. can be accomplished by applying an actuating thrust to part and'requiring a normaland i convenient actuating force which is applied to it to have both gripping andthrusting components. Any general thrust casually applied to the endportion of the stationary knob part, or which overlaps the end portions of both knob parts, will be resisted by the stationary knob part from moving to close the circuit. Pressure applied toA the Aknob as an elbow, arm, or in fact anything except the iinger tips, accordingly, will have no circuit-closing eiect.

As a result, the danger of the igniter beingl held in closed-circuit position, which might be damaging to the battery and might cause'a lreJ is obviated, and besides the igniter unit after use may be returned to storage position in the socket by a simple inattentive thrust on the end of the knob without causing the igniter unit to assume a circuit-closing.position. I

Further, if after operating the knob to close the circuit, the user for some reason wishes to open the circuit, this can be done in the forms of the invention illustrated herein by taking the movable part of the knob between the ngersand using the thumb as a purchase against the stationary part by a squeezing action of the fingers and thumb-to restore the movable part to opencircuit` position without removing the igniting unit from the socket.

Other features and` advantages will hereinafter appear. I

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section of one embodiment of the present invention, showing the parts in normal open-circuit condition.

Fig. 2 is a similar view yshowing the parts in closed-circuit heating position.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a detail.

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views illustrating another embodiment of the invention asused in connection with a lighter-of different construction from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Y Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views showing still another embodiment of the invention as used in connection with a lighter of another different construction.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 9-9 of the device shown in Fig. 7.

For disclosure purposes the invention is illustrated in connection'with plug-type automatic cigar lighters such as are especially adapted for use in motor cars, although it will bev apparent that the invention is equally Well adapted to cigar lighters for use in other locations. The present disclosure shows and describes the invention applied to three commercial Vforms of automobile cigar lighters which are now on the market.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the invention is shown applied to one well known form of com- 3 mercial cigar lighter and comprises a cylindrical base or socket 'member comprising a shell I2 forming a deep socket I3 adapted to be mounted in a hole I4 in any suitable part such as the instrument panel I5 of a motor car. The outer end of the shell I2 or socket member has a flange I6 engaging the panel.

The socket may be secured-in place by a sleeve I1 which is formed at the bottom with a threaded aperture I8 threaded on a sleeve I9 secured to the bottom of the shell I2.. .Ground contact by the socket member is made directly to the grounded panel I5 by engagement of the flange I6 therewith, or through the threaded connection I8, I9 and` sleeve I1 to the panel which is engaged directly by the `ends of the sleeve I1. Contact fingers 2I which are insulated from the socket member are supported in the lower end thereof and electrically connected to a conductor 22 leading to the car battery, or other source of current.

In Figs. 1 and 2, a removable igniting unit 23 of the plug type comprises'a relatively movable body part 24 of insulating material on the end of which is carried a housing 25 for the heater coil 26. The movable body part 24, as illustrated, has diametricaliy opposite slots 21 in an upper portion of reduced diameter, while the lower portion is unslotted.

The housing 25 has an annular ridge 28 for engagement with resilient contact portions 29 formed in the wall of the socket I3 to insure a good ground Contact when the unit is in circuitclosing condition.

In this embodiment a handle knob 3I for manipulating and operating the igniting unit 23 projects outwardly in position to be readily grasped by a user. The knob comprises two relatively movable parts one having an inner stem 32 having a head 33 forming an end face 34, and the other a relatively slidable sleeve member 35 having a recess 36 normally receiving the head 33. The recess is so formed that the surrounding portion of the sleeve 35 forms a rim 31 on the outer edge of the knob, which rim is preferably positioned in non-projecting relation to the end face 34. As illustrated, the latter provides a slightly protuberant surface. The relative arrangement of the knob parts is such that no thrust which overlaps -both parts will produce sufficient relati-ve movei ment of the parts to have any circuit-closing effect. The rim 31 is shown as relatively narrow and sloping so as to require an actuating force to have an encircling gripping component as well as a thrust.

` The inner end of the stem 32 is threaded to the center of an abutment plate 38 having a central diametrically extending crosspiece 3S slidably positioned in the slots 21 of the plunger section 24 so that the abutment plate 38 and the movable body part 24 are slidable relatively to each other. The inner stem 32 extends slidably through a bushing 4I which is threaded at its lower end into a plug `42 which is in turn threaded to the upper end of the plunger section 24.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the igniter unit has a relatively stationary body part which supports the movable body part of the igniting unit in the socket member. A sleeve 45, having a friction t in the socket member I2, slidably surrounds the reduced, slotted end of the plunger 24. The upper end of the friction sleeve 45 has `an outwardly extending radial flange 54 `overlying the outer flange I6 ofthe sleeve or socket member I2 for support thereon. A coil spring 46 is interposed between an inturned flange 41 on the lower end of the sleeve 45 and a radial plate48 clamped between the plug 42 and the upper end of the movable body part 24 and forming a spring' seat. By this arrangement the parts are normally pressed by the spring 46 into the open-circuit, nonheating condition illustrated in Fig. 1.

In this combination the abutment plate 38 and sleeve 45` 'constitute a stationary body part of the igniting unit with relation to which the relatively movable part is shifted axially when it is desired to heat the heating element.

In this embodiment, when the movable part is pushed inwardly in the socket member I2, by operation of the movable part 31 of the knob, the spring contacts 2I act as a latch to yieldingly engage and hold a rounded 'contact surface 49 on the heating coil housing 23, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby a heating current passes through the heater coil 26. The yielding contact members 2I being formed of bimetallic strips act as a thermostat to disengage the contact surface 49 and release the movable part of the igniting unit las soon as the heater element reaches the desired temperature thereby permitting the spring 46 to snap such part back to its normal position'. This snapping operation serves to notify the user that the unit is heated and ready for'use. Theus'er then can remove the unit from the socket member for lighting purposes. i i

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to` 4, the spring seat plate 48 has a downwardly extending peripheral flange 5I for guiding the movement of the plate relatively to the sleeve 45. The lower end of the knob sleeve member surrounding the bushing 4I engages the outer surface of a .dishshaped presser plate 52 having a depending peripheral flange 53 engaging the outer upper edge of the spring-retaining plate 48. i

In this embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that, with theparts in the open-circuit condition illustrated in Fig. 1, pressure applied to the knob end face 34 on the knob part connected to the relatively stationary body part or any thrust which overlaps the ends of the knob parts will produce no movement of the parts to operative closed-circuit condition. This is due to the fact that pressure on the end face 34 is transmitted through the stem 32 to the abutment plate 38 which rests upon the lower flange `41 of the sleeve 45, the upper flange 54 of said sleeve overlying the outer end of the sleeve or socket member I2. Hence such pressure is simply transmitted to the supporting panel I4 or the like without producing any movement of the parts.

Suilcient movement of the parts to produce closed-circuit condition can only be accomplished by manipulating the relatively movable sleeve 35, connected to the movable body part 24, by pushing the sleeve inwardly toward the socket as shown in Fig. 2. Inward movement of the sleeve 35 operates through the bushing 4I, plug 42 'and presser `plate 52 to press the slotted, movable body part 24 inwardly to move the housing 25 and contact rim 49 into electrical contact with the fingers 2| to complete the electrical circuit through the heater element. As above pointed out, such move- 'ment normally requires an actuating force having both gripping and thrust components. In this operation the spring plate 48 compresses the spring 46 against the abutment plate 38, as shown in Fig. 2.

The embodiment of the invention in a second commercial `form of cigar lighter is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. This embodiment is also shown in connection with a lighter for use in motor cars gesamt' E',` positioned in the opening |4 formed in the panel t5. As illustrated', it comprises a socket member |I21 extending through the opening in the dash Il' and having a flange ||3 engaging the outer' face oi' the panel. A sleeve or yoke ||4 having a threadedaperture ||5 `secured toa sleeve H6 connected to the bottom of the socket member ||2 secures the latter in place. Contact fin-- gers |2| are electrically connected to the conductor 22 leading to the car battery or other source of potential. The spaced contact ngers |2| are adapted to engage a contact rim |22 on the outer face of a housing |23 supporting a heater element similar to the element 26 in Fig. 1.

An insulating disk |24 is secured to the top ofthe housing |23 by a conducting rivet |25 which also secures a second insulating disk |26 under U-shaped contact prongs |21.

One end of the heater element is electrically connected to the conducting rim |22 of the housing |23 and the other end is electrically connected to the central rivet which is insulated from the housing |23.

A movable contact plug |3| having a. conical lower end surface |32 for engagement with the contact prongs |21 is riveted to the lower end o! an insulating movable body part v|33 which is in turn screw threaded to the lower end of a sleeve |34 forming one relatively movable part of a knob |35. The contact plug |3| secures yielda-ble spring contact fingers |36 in place to extend downwardly from the lower face of the movable body part |33, and a conducting strip r|31 electrically connects the contact plug with the spring fingers, an insulating disk |38 being positioned between the strip and the inner edges of the contact fingers.

A cup-shaped retaining member or sleeve |4| is secured to the housing |23 by the conducting rivet |25, the bottom of the cup being gripped between the insulating washers |24, |26. Retaining lugs |42 are struck up from the bottom of thecup and form retaining and centering means for the insulating washer |26. The upper edge of the cup is formed with an inturned ilange |44 slidably surrounding the movable body part |33 and adapted to engage a shoulder |45 adjacent the lower portion of the section.

The sleeve |4I, housing |23 and connected parts comprise a stationary body part of the igniting unit, with relation to whichA thev relatively movable body part is shifted axially when it is desired toheat the heating element.v

The knob comprises a. relatively stationary face which includes a center stem |41' supporting a head |48 forming an end face |49 shown as projecting beyond the other part of the knob. The head |43 is normally received within a recess I5| in the relatively movable part or sleeve |34.. The recess |5|` is so formed that the surrounding portion of the sleeve |34 forms a narrow, sloping 'rim |52 onthe outery edge of the knob |35, but the end face |49 overlies the rim portion |52 and lprovides a slightly protuberant face. The lower end of the sleeve |34 is formed with a recess |53 receiving a helical spring |54 compressed between the bottom of the recess and a collar |55 on the stem |141 for normally pressing the sleeve |34 outwardly so as to retain the head |43 seated within the recess |5|'. Below the collar |55 the stem |41 has an extension |56 of reduced diameter extending through `the hollow contact plug |3| and provided at its lower end with an insulating abutment |51 which bears directly on the adjacent end of the conducting rivet |25.

In this. embodiment the circuit through the heater element. is closed by moving the knob. sleeve part. |34 which is connected to the movable part of the igniting unit: so as to shift the contact plug |3| downwardly into engagement with the contact prongs |21, in which position it is retained by engagement of the bimetallic contact fingers |36 with an inner annular shoulder ,|58v formed around the inside of the retaining cup |4|f. In this. embodiment also, such movement normally requires an actuating force having both thrusting and gripping components.- In this closed-circuit position, the fingers act. as a latch to hold the:` plug in contact with the prongs |21 against the pressure of a coil spring |6| interposed between the inner end of the movable body part |33v and the bottom of the retaining cup |4|. Thus, an electric circuit is established through; the. conductor 22', contacts |2|, conducting rim |22 of a heater element housing |23, then through the heater element, conducting rivetv I 25,

prongs, |21, plug |3|,y conducting strip |31, bi`

metallic retaining ngers |36, retaining cup |4|., socket member 2, and grounded panel |5.

It will be apparent that movement of the parts intov the closed-circuit condition illustrated in Fig. 6 can only be eiiected-l by causing movement. of the movable sleeve part |34 of the knob relatively to the stem |41-against the pressure of the spring |6I.. Pressure applied. to the end face |49 of the knob accidentally or intentionally, will be transmitted directly through the stem |41, and extension |56 to the insulating rivet |25, heater housing |23 and socket member ||2 to the supporting panel I5, so that no movement of the parts to closed-circuit position will result. Such movement can only be accomplished by relative movement between the relatively stationarysteml part; |41 and the relatively movable sleevel part |34 of the knob, by pushing the sleeve only toward the socket member ||2 against the pressure of the. spring |6 This operation will usuallyy require gripping as. wel as thrusting the sleeve |34 by the user.

When the. heater element has reached the desired temperature the bimetallic fingers |36 release the retaining cup |4| andthe parts are returned, to normal operi-circuit4 condition by the spring |6|. This operation draws the attention of the user to the fact. that the element is ready for use. They entire igniting unit canthen be withdrawn from the socket member ||2' bythe knob |35 and returned to the socket after use. In such returning action no amount of pressure on. the end face |49 can shift the movable parts into closed-circuit positiorn I Any such pressure serves merely to. locate the igniting unit in the socket member I |:2 in the relatively movable sleeve part |34 of the knob, preferably by pushing the sleeve toward the socket member ||2 against the pressure of the spring |6I. This operation will usually require gripping as well as thrusting the sleeve |34 by the user.

When the. heater element has reached the desited temperature the bimetallic fingers |36 release the retaining cup. |4| and the parts are returned to normal open-circuit condition by the spring itil. This operation draws the attention of the user to the fact. that the element is ready for use. The entire igniting unit can then be withdrawn from the socket member ||2 by the lmob |35 and returned to the socket after use. In such returning action no amount of pressure on the end face |49 can shift-the movable parts into closed-circuit position. Any such pressure serves merely to locate'th'e igniting unit inthe socket member I I2 in storage'position with the parts in the open-circuit condition illustrated in Fig."5. Likewise, no pressure applied tothe end face |49 of theknob, as by accidentally leaning on it for example, and no thrust which overlaps the ends of` the knob parts,Y will result in mov ing'the partsinto closed-circuit condition.

The invention is also shown applied to a third commercial type lighter inFigs. 7, 8 and 9 which illustrate a socket member or sleeve 2I2 positioned in the opening I4 of the panel member I5 and! having a "cul'ved'ilange 2`I3 engaging the outerface'of the panel. A supporting sleeve 2|4 engages the opposite side of the panel and has a threaded extension 2I5` secured to a'threaded sleeve 2I connected to the'bottom of the socket member 2 I2 for securing the latter in place.`

Spring contact fingers 22| are electrically connected'vto the conductor 22 which supplies potential yto the iingers.` The ngersare adapted toengage and hold a contact rim 222 on the end of ahousing 223 supporting a heater element 2236!,. A n insulatingdisk 224 is secured to the top of the housing 223 by a current-conducting rivet 225 which also secures a second insulating disk 225 under the web of U-shaped contact prongs 221. The prongs extend upwardly through perforations in the insulating disk 224 and `in aY superimposed plate 228 covering the insulating disk v224. rlhe Irivet 225 is provided with a terminal head 229 to which the inner end of the heater element 22311, is connected, the other end of the heater element being electrically connected to the conducting rim 222 of the housing 223.` Y

A retaining sleeve 23| having a sliding frictional fit in the socketmember 2I2 Ahas an inner flange 232 at the lower end thereof connected to the lower end of a guide sleeve 233 which is secured to the'plate 228 andv extends upwardly therefrom. The upper end of the .guide sleeve has an inwardly extending flange' 234 slidably tting a telescoping sleeve 235 having a' lower upset end 236 adapted to engage the inner edge of the iiange 234 and limit the separation of the telescoping sleeves. A detent button 231 in an opening V238 in the sleeve 23| insures the desired frictional engagement between `the socket member 2 I 2 and the sleeve member '23 I.

In this embodiment the housing 223, contact prongs 221, retaining sleeve 23|, and guide sleeve 233 constitute a relatively stationary body part of the igniting unit.

A helical spring 24| is interposed between the lower end flange of theretaining sleeve 23| and a spring-retaining end plate 242 secured to the upper end portion 243 of the telescoping sleeve 235, constituting a relatively movable body part of the igniting unit, for yieldingly pressing the parts into open-circuit position, as illustrated in Fig. 7.

A handle knob 245 has a relatively stationary part which includes a central stem 246 supporting a head 241 forming an end surface 249 projecting beyond the other parts of the knob. The head 241 is normally received within a recess 25| in a relatively movable knob member. The latter comprises a sleeve 252 having a slotted end 253 at the lower end thereof engaging the upper face of the spring-retaining plate 242 on the movable body part of the igniting unit. The lower end of the inner stationary knob stem 246 is connected to the cross member 254 of a slotted `abutment plate 255 engaging both the outer face of the spring-retainer plate 242fand a central stud 256 which secures the retainer plate lto the end 243 of the telescoping sleeve 235.` The abut-i ment plate 255 overlies and bears on the flange 213 of the stationary socket member 2I2 and is in abutting relation to the end of the sleeve 23| on the relatively stationary body part. The lower end 253 of the movable knob sleeve `252 extends through slots 251 inthe abutment plate 255. i A spring 25| located in a recess262 in the'sleeve member 252 and compressed between the bottom of the recess and the top face'of the abutment plate 255 is provided to eliminate play between the parts of the knob. A i p The operation of this embodiment is generally similar to those above described. The parts-are moved to closed-circuit condition by relative movement between the inner knob stem I246and the knob sleeve 252 by shifting `the knob sleeve 252 inwardly toward the socket member asshown in Fig. 8, thus shifting the movable body part of the igniting unit into closed-circuit condition. In this position the parts are retained, against the pressure of the spring 24|, by engagement of the bimetallic fingers 221 which actas a latch to hold the lower rim 233 of the upper telescoping sleeve 235. In this position an electricicircuit is established through the conductor 22, contacts 22|, conducting rim 222 of the heater element housing 223, then through the heater element 223e, conducting rivet 225, bimetallic nngers-221, telescoping sleeves 233, 235, friction sleeve v23| and socket member 2 I 2 to the grounded panelli. It will be apparent that movement of thejparts into closed-circuit condition can only be effected by relative movement 'between the movable knob sleeve 252 and the relatively stationary knob stem 246, usually by pressing the outer sleeve 252 toward the socket member 2 I2, and such movement will normally require an actuating forcehaving both gripping and thrusting components. With the parts in closed-circuit condition, when the heater element reaches the desired temperature, the bimetallic prongs 221 will release the .upper telescoping sleeve` 235,` allowing the spring .24| Ato snap the parts back to open-circuit position shown in Fig. 7, whereupon the igniting unit can be withdrawn from the socket member 2 I 2 by the knob 245 for use, and later returned to the socket for storage. In such returning movement no amount of pressure applied to the end face'249 will move the parts into closed-circuit condition.

As in the other embodiments, all pressure applied to the end face 249 of the knob, accidental or intentional, or a general thrust overlapping the ends of the knob parts, will be transmitted through the stem 246 and abutment plate 255 directly to the flange of the socket member 2|2 Iwhereby such thrust is prevented from moving the parts `to closed-circuit condition. l

Although the relatively stationary knob part has been shown and described as projecting beyond the movable part, it wil1 be apparent that the two end faces can be substantially Hush, or the movable part can be the projecting part as long as the extent of projection is not sumcient to permit a thrust applied across both end faces to move such part far enough to close the heater circuit.

While the abutment 255 engages the flange 2I3 on the socket when the igniter is completely inserted in the socket, it also is in position to engage the end of the sleeve 23| of the igniter unit in the operation of returningithe igniting unit to storage position on the socket and prevent the relative switch-#closing movement of the ignite'r parts inthis operation by an Voverlapping thrus :on the end or the knob.

. Thus, ineach of the embodiments of the invention the movement of the knob a determinate extent necessary to close the switch contacts lis prevented unless the movable part of the knob is selectively operated independently of the rela` tively "stationary part.

Another species of my invention claimed herein is disclosed land claimed in my copending ap plication` Serial No. 122,199 led October 19, 1949. f i f It will be apparent that the invention can be variously modified 4and adapted and portions 'of the improvements can be `used without others.

I claim: i

l. An igniting unit for an yelectric cigar lighter having' a 'holding device, comprising a knob; means, including an igniting unit body, mounting the knob for movement on the holding devcefbetween projected and depressed positions', said means providing for complete removal of the k/nob'and body from the holding device; a

heating element on the igniting unit means for closinga circuit through the heating element in response to movement of the knob 'to depressed position: `guard means carried by the igniting unit, extending along said knob in the direction of movement thereof Vand having la member adjacent the most-projected portion of the knob; and means `connecting the guard means to the holding device to prevent movement thereof whereby an object moving against the most-'projected `portion of the knob and overlapping both the knob and the 'guard member vwill engage said member and be prevented thereby from depressing'the knob to energizing position.

' 2. An igniting unit for an electric cigar lighter having a holding device, comprising a knob;

. means., including an igniting unit body, mountfor holding the knob in depressed, energizing position;` means for automatically returning, the knob to extended position when said latch means is released; guardmeans lcarried by theignitlng unit, Vextending along said knob in the direction of movement thereof and having a member adjacent the most-projected portion of the knob;v and means connecting the guard means to the holding device to prevent movement thereof whereby'an object moving against the most-project'ed portion ofthe knob and overlapping both the knob and the guard member will engage said member and be prevented thereby fromdepressing the 'knob to energizing position.

, 3; The invention as defined inclaim 1, in which the knob and guard means are elongate and coaxial. n

4. The invention as defined in claim 1, in which the `knob and guard means -are elongate and coaxial, and in which the guard means is centrally located within the knob. p L

5. The invention as defined in 4claim 1, in which the guardmeans comprises a centrally-located button, and in which the knob has a "ring-like end encircling the-button. i

10 =6; An electric cigarlighterigniting unit com'- prising two cooperable, relatively movable electrical contacts; a heating element connected to one of said contacts; a knob having two relatively axially movable parts having vjuxtaposed normally substantially flush end portions, said` parts beingrespectively connected to said contacts and one'. part beingfdepressible axially withrespect to the other to cause engagement-of the con.- `facts, and at its lend being in substantially non* projecting relation to theiend of the other part when the -contacts :are in their separated posi tions; and means rigidly connected to said other knob part, for mounting the igniting unit on a holder whereby said other part is held unyieldingly by said holder and constitutes a guard. to prevent anobject whichl is moved against the end of the knob from depressing the said on knob part. i v l f '7. An electric .cigar lighter igniting unit comprising two cooperable, relatively movable electrical contacts; a heating elementconnected to one of said contacts; .a knob having two relatively axially movable parts having juxtaposed normally substantially flush end portions, said parts being respectively connected to said contacts and one part being depressible axially with respect to the other to cause engagement of 'the contacts, and at its end being in substantially non-,projecting relationto the end `of the other part whenthe contacts are in their separated positions; bearing means -ior mounting the igniting unit on a holding device;- and thrust-resistant means carried by said bearing means and rigidly connected with said otherknob'part and abutting the holdingl device whereby the other knob part is unyieldingly backed by the holding device and constitutes a guard to prevent' an object which is vmoved against thel end of the knob from depressing the said one knob part:

8. In an electric cigar lighter having a holding device, an igniting unit removably mounted on the holding device and movable thereon between projected open-circuit position yand depressed closed-circuit position; a heating element on the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element in response to movement of the igniting unit to energizing position; a projecting knobon the igniting unit for manipulating the same; guard means carried by theigni'ti'ng unit, extending along said knob and having a member disposed atthe most-projected portion -of the knob; and means'connecting the guard means to the holding device to prevent movement thereof wherebyv van object moving against the most-projected portion ofthe knob and 'overlapping both the knob and the guard member will vengage 'said memberv 'and be prevented thereby iromdepressing'jthe knob and shifting the ignitingv unit to energizing position. '9. The invention as dei-ined inclaim'B., in which the `knob and guard-providing 'means are elongate and co-axial, the knob encircling the said means.

v1'0. 'In an electric cigar' lighter having a holdf ing device, an igniting unit `removably `mounted, on the holding device and movable thereon between projected open-cir'cuit position and depressed clo'sed-circ'uit position; a heating element on the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit vthrough the heating #element in response to movement of the ignitingunitto depressed, energizing position; -thermostatically `-Icontrolled latch means for holding the igniting unit in ener-v gizing position.; means -ior returning the ignit-` lng unit to open-circuit position when said latch means is released; a projecting knob on the igniting unit for manipulating the same; guard means carried by the igniting unit, extending along said knob in the direction of movement thereof and having a member disposed at the most-projected portion of the knob; and means connecting the guaard means to the holding device to prevent movement thereof whereby an object moving against the most-projected portion of the knob and overlapping both the knob and the guard member will engage said member and be prevented thereby from depressing the knob and shifting the igniting unit to energizing position.

11. In an electric cigar lighter having a base, an igniting unit including a heating element supported on said base and removable therefrom for use; switch means for said heatingelement including cooperating contacts at least one of which is movable; a knob carried by said unit, having at its end two juxtaposed substantially flush relatively axially movable parts one` of which is connected to said movable contact and movesthe sameinto `closed-circuit position when said part is shifted toward said base member, said other part projecting forwardly of the one part after the latter is so shifted; and means having abutting engagement with said base and including a member connected to said other part, for holding the said part against shifting toward the base inr response to axial thrust applied to it whereby accidental engagement of said contacts by a member striking the end of the knob. is prevented.

12. The invention as defined in claim 11, in which the one knob part comprises a sleeve, and in which the other knob part comprises a stem extending through said sleeve, said stem and sleeve at the outer end of the knob being substantially flush with each other.

13. TheV invention as defined in claim 12, in which the outer end of the sleeve is counterbored and in which the outer end of the stem has a button receivable in the counterbore of the sleeve.

`14. The invention as defined in claim 11, in which the means having abutting engagement with said base member comprises a plate yhaving slots, and in which the one knob part has inward'extensions passing through said slots, enabling relative movement to occur between said one knob part and plate.

15. An igniting unit for an electric cigar lighter having a holding device, comprising an ignitingv unit mounted on the holding device and removable therefrom; a heating element on the igniting unit; Va projecting knob on the igniting unit for manipulating the same; means for closing a circuit through the heating element in response to movement of the knob to a depressed position; guard means carried by the igniting unit, extending along said knob to the most-projected portion thereof; and means connecting the guard means to the holding device to prevent movement thereof whereby an object moving against the most-projected portion of the knob and overlapping both the knob and the guard member will engage said member and Abe prevented thereby from depressing the knob to energizing position.

16. An electric cigar lighter igniting unit comprising ytwo cooperable, relatively movable electrical contacts; a heating element connected to one of said contacts; a knob having twoparts having juxtaposed substantially flush end portions, said parts being respectivelyconnected to said contacts and one part being depressible with respect to the other to cause engagement of the contacts, and being in substantially `nonprojecting relation to the other part whenthe contacts are separated, one of said contacts com'- prising a thermostatically.-controlled latchfor maintaining said contacts engaged until the heating element is ready for use; a spring associated with said knob parts for returning said movable contact to open-circuit positioniwhen the latch becomes inoperative; and means rigidlyloonnected to said other knob part, for mounting the igniting unit on a holder whereby said..other part is held unyieldingly by said holder and constitutes a guard` to prevent an=object-.which .is moved against the end of the knob from depressing the said one knob part.

17. An electric cigar lighter igniting unit oomprising two cooperable, relatively movableelectrical contacts; a heating element connected to one of said contacts; a knob `having twogparts having juxtaposed substantially flush end portions, said parts being respectively connectedV to said contacts and one part being depressible with respect to the other to cause engagement ofthe contacts, and being in substantially non-projecting relation to the other part when thexcontacts are separated; means rigidly connected to said other knob part, for mounting the igniting unit on a holder whereby4 said other part is held unyieldingly by said holder and constitutes -a guard to prevent an object which is moved against the end of the knob from depressing the said one knob part. one of said electrical contacts being a thermostatically controlled latch for maintaining said contacts engaged until the heating'element is ready for use; and a spring associated with said knob parts for returningsaidv movable contact to open-circuit position when said latch becomes inoperative. i l

18. The invention as defined in claim Elin which the means connecting vthe guard means to theholdingdevice includes a sleeve slidably fitting the holding device and having a flange abut-l 'References cited in the 171e of this `paient UNITED STATES PATENTs i Date Number Name 1,732,784 Wolfson et ai. ont. 22, 1929 1,756,013 Jackson Apr. 29, 1930 r1,940,463 Rinteis g Dec.`19,v 1933 2,129,914 Davis Sept. 13,1938 2,196,151 Johnson Anna, `1940 2,207,601 Shakespeare et al. July '9, 1940 2,220,978 Shakespeare et al. Nov."`12,1940 2,223,654 Ashton Dec. 3,1940 2,224,034 Lehmann Deo.`319`4o 2,235,750 Pistey Mar.` 18, 1941 2,247,093 Lohmann June 24, 194i 2,267,592 Kline nec. 23,' 1941 2,276,215 Lehmann Mai; 10, 1942 2,288,005 Lehmann rJune 30,1942 2,302,775 `Johnson 1 Nov. 24,1942 2,319,687 Johnson May\18,"1943 

